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Workshop on MDG monitoring 14-16 January 2008 - Bangkok, Thailand. National-level coordination in MDG monitoring. Christian Stoff Statistics Division, ESCAP. Main reasons for data discrepancies. To make data internationally comparable, international agencies
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Workshop on MDG monitoring 14-16 January 2008 - Bangkok, Thailand National-level coordination in MDG monitoring Christian Stoff Statistics Division, ESCAP
Main reasons for data discrepancies To make data internationally comparable, international agencies • Use international definitions (e.g. water and sanitation, poverty line) • Adjust and/or model data (e.g. regressions) • Use different population data source as denominator (UN PD) Increased information on these aspects helps countries to understand the resulting discrepancies (e.g. workshops by UNSD/ESCAP, UNICEF, WHO; MDG Handbook) In addition, there is the need for data reconciliation at national level, in particular between data from line ministries and NSOs: The need for designated official statistics which are agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders and can be used by international agencies • Often no central MDG dataset but datasets with different values co-exist (MDG national report, DevInfo and ministries)
National-level coordination is a pre-requisite Official statistics are broad in scope and produced by various government agencies • facilitate data integration from different sources • avoid duplication of work • minimize respondents’ burden to international initiatives • FOC: Lack of coordination between NSO & line ministries affects accuracy of MDG data – coordination needed to avoid discrepancies between data available in national and international databases
Coordination may be needed in… • National data reconciliation • Data dissemination (centralized MDG db, reports, respond to national/international agencies, microdata) • International data reconciliation • Which thematic area? Which agencies? Health, education, environment, etc. • Data collection (design, definitions) • Data processing (entry, editing, imputation) • Data analysis (estimates, tabulations) Data Documentation
UNSD survey on national coordination: 22 responding countries • Bangladesh • Bhutan • Cambodia • China • India • Iran (Republic of) • Kiribati • Kyrgyzstan • Lao DPR • Malaysia • Maldives • Mongolia • Nepal • Pakistan • Papua New Guinea • Palau • Sri Lanka • Tajikistan • Timor Leste • Tuvalu • Vanuatu • Viet Nam
Countries’ comments on problems • No statistical act to mandate coordination: Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal (outdated), Sri Lanka, etc. • Lack of funds and skilled staff (NSO/ministries) • Different definitions are used within countries • Lack of data sharing • Data validation vs. methodological issues • Changing focal points in various entities
Tools for coordination (1):Centralized MDG database exists? …only few countries have centralized online MDG databases (updated regularly and complete)
Tools for coordination (2):Focal point for centralizing all data requests by international agencies? Mostly NSO, MoP, MoF … but these focal points are sometimes not publicly known or used; instead international agencies contact line ministries directly without going through the focal points at the NSOs
Who receives data requests Focal point
Countries’ comments: Coordination role of NSO in reporting data to international agencies • Collect, process and provide data for MDG national report • Maintain MDG db and perform official data dissemination • Assist ministries in data development • Collaborate with ministries and agencies • Gather data from all data producers and disseminate
Was the NSO able to reply to all data requests by international agencies?
Countries’ comments: Measures taken by countries to improve data reporting • Revised statistical law • Designated focal point of contact with international agencies • Established a centralized database
Possible discussion points • Who has the authority to set definitions, validate data, maintain the central MDG database, and report to users (national and international agencies)? • What is this authority based on (statistical law versus actual practice)? • Who enforces this coordination agreement? How are disputes over data settled? • How are users informed about the coordination arrangements such as focal points etc?